Adjustable shackle



Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNiTED STATES4 OTTO R. BILLINGSLEY, F MASSENA,IOWA ADJUSTABLE SHACKL'E Application led March 10, 1930. Serial No.434,760.

This invention relates to spring shackles, the primary object of theinvention being to provide a shackle of the adjustable type, so

' that the body and frame of a motor vehicle may be .elevated withrespect to the axle, providing a greater clearance between the wheels ofthe vehicle and fenders to insure against mud collecting between thewheels and fenders to retard the movements of the wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable shacklewhich may be readily and easily moved from its normal position to itsadjusted position or vice versa.

A stillv further object of the invention is to provide a shackle whichmay be readily and easily installed in place of the shackles now incommonv use, eliminating the necessity of making changes in the usualspring construction to mount the shackles.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the yscope of what is claimed, Without departing Y from the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a shackle constructed in accordancewith the invention, showing the same as mounted on a spring.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the shackle, showing the same in itsextended or adjusted position.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the shackle.

y Figure 4 is a perspective view of the wrench used in moving theshackle to adjust it.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 designatesa vehicle spring, and the reference character 6 designates the rear endofa side rail of the chassis of the vehicle. Y

The shackle comprises an upper section 7 and a lower section 8, theupper section embodying side bars 9 and lo'respectively, the 1 lowerends thereof being extended at oblique angles, as at 11. The referencecharacter 12 designates the shackle bolt that secures the upper sectionto the side rail 6 of the chassis, there being provided a spacing sleeve13 disposed between the bars 9 and 10, to hold them in spaced relationwith each other.

The lower section of the shackle embodies bars 14' and 15, which arepivotally connected to the bars 9 and 10 by means of the bolt 16, therebeing provided a spacing sleeve 17 for holding the bars in proper spacedrelation.

AAs clearly shown by Figure 3 of the drawing, the bars 14 and 15 areformed with offset portions 18 that present shoulders to be engaged bythe bars 9 and 10 to restrict movement of one section with respect tothe other section of the shackle. The inner ends of the bars 14 and 15are disposed on opposite sides of, the spring with which the shackle isconnected and secured to the spring by means of the shackle bolt 19, inthe yusual and well known manner. f I

' Normally, the sections 7 and 8 of the shackle are held in a positionas shown by Figure 1 of thedrawing, in which case the bolt 2O ispositioned within aligning openings of the bars of the sections, a nut21 being positioned on the bolt to hold the bolt against accidentaldisplacement.

When it is desired to adjust the shackle, or increase the distancebetween the rear a-Xle s0 and chassis, the lever 26 such as shown byFigure 4 of the drawing, 1s positioned by placing the opening 22 overthe extension 23 of the bolt 16, and the lug 24 is positioned in theopening 25 of the end portion 11 of the bar 9, B5 whereupon the bolt 20is removed. As the lever is moved upwardly from a position as shown indotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawing, thebars of the upper and lowersections of the shackle, are moved into parallel relation with eachother, whereupon the bolt 20 is positioned to secure the sections of theshackle in their adjusted positions, as shown by Figure 2.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that 95 due to the constructionshown and described, the shackle may be adjusted to increase thedistance between the spring and frame of the machine, providing agreater clearance between the wheels and mud guards or fendico ers ofthemachine during muddy road conditions.

Iclaim:

l. A shackle*r Acomprising pivotally con-k l nected sections, means forsecuring the shackle to the spring and frame of a vehicle, e

said sections embodying space bars, formed With openings, and a boltextended through the openings to hold the sections in their exktended ornormal positions. f

v 2. A shackle comprising -piyotally connected sections, each sectioncomprising spaced bars, means for holdingthe bars in spaced relationwith eachother, said bars having openings, and a bolt extendedthroughthe openingsto hold the sections in their' positionsof adjustment.A -Y nl .3. A shackle comprising van upperfsection anda lower section, each ofsaid sections embodyingr spaced bars, the bars of the upper Y `V sectionhavngmset. @nd portions formed with openings, means for pivotallyconnect- Y ing the sections atpointrs intermediate the ends of theIbars, the inner ends of the bars tending beyond'the connecting pointbetween Y v the. sections,v and a locking bolt extended f ofthe lowersection having openings, the openings of thebars of one section adaptedto align with the openings of the bars of the n other section,' and abolt extending through' the openingsto s ecurethe'sections in theirpositions ofadjustment. f

A shackle comprising pivotally connected sections, means foi-securingthe seotion in parallel relation with each other, lto Y separate thespringrand'chassis with Which theV shackle isconnected, and means forrestrictingmovements of the sections With revspecttoeach other'when theshackle is in its .n

normal positionf v 5.,AV shackle comprising pivotally connectedsections,Y said sections comprising spaced side bars, the ends of theside bars e-X- through the bars tohold thesections against pivotalmovement With respect tc each other.

ln testimony that4 I claim the foregoing as Illy-own7 lrhaveheretoaihxed my signtnre.

OTTO R. BILLINGSLEY.`

